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Senate Passes Smith-Wyden Ft.
Clatsop Bill
Legislation Designates the Lewis and
Clark National
Historical Park as Part of the National Park System
September 16, 2004
Washington, DC – Last night, the Senate passed the Lewis
and Clark National Historical Park Designation Act, co-sponsored
by Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden. The bill would create
a “Lewis and Clark National Historic Park,” encompassing
Fort Clatsop National Memorial, other state parks, and sites proposed
for protection.
“This legislation will give Oregonians a fitting tribute
to the journey of Lewis and Clark,” said Smith. “The
new National Park will make the rich history and life lessons
learned from Lewis and Clark more accessible and meaningful to
both residents and visitors.”
"Preserving these
pieces of history is an important priority, and a timely one as
we celebrate the Lewis and Clark bicentennial," said Wyden.
"I'm pleased that the Senate recognized the historical significance
of these great Pacific Northwest places, and voted to protect
them for future generations."
The Act comes as Oregon prepares
for next year’s bicentennial celebration of Lewis and Clark’s
historic expedition. The legislation would protect three sites
on the lower Columbia River that played crucial roles during the
Corps of Discovery expedition's dramatic arrival at the Pacific
Ocean including Clark's Dismal Nitch, where the expedition first
viewed the ocean and weathered a six-day storm; Station Camp,
where the group held a historic vote among all group members on
where the expedition should stay for the winter; and Cape Disappointment,
the furthest point westward reached by Lewis and Clark.
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